CARAMEL APPLE CHEESECAKE

CRUST:
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted FILLING:
1 lb caramels
1 can evaporated milk
1 c pecans
16 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 cup golden delicious apples,chop
1 tbsp flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven of 350 F.

Combine graham cracker crumgs. 1/4 cup sugar and butter, press onto sides and bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.

Unwrap caramels; place in a 2-qt heavy saucepan. Add evaporated milk. Melt caramels over low heat, stirring until smooth. reserve 1/2 cup melted caramel mixture. Pour remaining caramel mixture over crust in pan.

Sprinkle half of the chopped pecans over caramel in crust.

Beat cream cheee and 1/2 cup sugar until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until smooth after each addition.

Toss together 1 cup chopped apple, flour and cinnamon, fold into cream cheese mixutre. Spoon cream cheese mixture over caramel crust.

Bake 40 minutes.

Combine reserved caramel and remaining 1/2 cup chopped apples. Spread over cheesecake, sprinkle with remaining pecans. Continue baking 15 minutes.

Loosen cake from rim of pan. Chill before serving. Refrigerate unused portion.

Makes 12 servings